Hillary Clinton sounds the call against a Barack Obama $$ blitz

Money is the root of all (political) evil. Please send more of it.

That's the gist of Hillary Clinton's latest fundraising appeal to supporters. "With 14 days to go until the people of Pennsylvania vote, the (Barack) Obama campaign has decided to go all-out," she warns in the e-mail sent this morning. "They're trying to end the race for the White House with an unyielding media blitz. Right now, we're being outspent 4-1 on Pennsylvania television.

"So now, here's what we have to ask ourselves: Have we come this far in our history-making contest for the Democratic nomination only to see the race decided not by the quality of our ideas but by the size of our opponent's media budget?"

In one sense, she's absolutely right: Obama is outspending her campaign in Pennsylvania, on the strength of a record-breaking, more-than-$200 million fundraising haul that includes $40 million gathered in March. Clinton, on the other hand, has raised nearly $200 million herself this campaign.

And although it appears she trails Obama in available cash, her campaign coffers are healthy enough that today her campaign let loose with five new ads in Pennsylvania (which holds its closely watched primary in exactly two weeks).

The spots are tailored for different constituencies in the large state. As spelled out in a release from her campaign, they "highlight Hillary's ability to get the job done as president -- her commitment to jump-starting our economy, standing up for the middle class, and bringing quality, universal healthcare to all Americans. 'Nuestra Amiga,' a Spanish language ad, highlights Hillary's understanding of the Latino community and the problems it faces."

One of them features Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter explaining, in a few sentences, why he supports Clinton -- something black politicians in her corner increasingly have been called on to do, in the face of Obama's successes.

For more about each of the ads, go here.

-- Jim Tankersley and Don Frederick

Jim Tankersley writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington bureau.

Comments

[suzyku]

I wish she would just be quiet and go away, crawl back into her deep, nasty hole!!

[KWinn]

The hypocrisy of Billary is astounding. Please take your lying, exaggerating behind somewhere and sit down before you ruin the whole Democratic party.

[Jon]

I hope Hillary stays in the race and wins Pennsylvania. I would love to vote for her in Nov but it doesnt look like that will happen. If the Dem party is destroyed with her staying in then so be it.

If Barack thinks he has it tough with the Clinton machine, wait until he has to run against the Republicans. The Republicans will make the Clintons' look like saints!!

[Dean]

Anyone who donates to her financially mis-managed campaign must be crazy, especially after knowing Bill and Hillary earned $109 million. If she wants it so bad, why don't the Clintons pony-up some of their money. They gave Mark Penn $12 million for bad advice, and even worst -- deceptive moonlighting.

She's not only trying to buy the Presidency, she's trying to do it without spending any of the blood money from the Clinton post 2000 windfall.

Go ahead Clintonistas, waste your money. She will lose PA and the nomination anyway.

[Robert NO longer in LA]

Whoa.. .shades of glib, duplicitous slick willie... which candidate has PROFITED soooo highly from sleazy, corrupt politics? Who pardons fugitive felons? Who has $106 million in earnings, has an effective 30% tax rate (on what we're ALLOWED to see...) and represents Wall Street thieves and RICO-types? Sure isn't Obama, is it Hillary?

[sweeetback]

the money these candidates are spending on their campaigns could feed a american family who have lost their home for decades!

[Matt]

I hope Barack Obama spends a billion dollars to make sure we are not subjected to the Clintons wrath of lies, secrecy and mismanagement. Let freedom shish shing!

[Redrum]

Hillary deserves some credit for taking on this diabolical
Obama machine funded by Rezko and consorts with the
full muscle of the hell's angels Illinois chapter, His net
campaign is essentially moove on org fanatics milking
the membership of lefty bums and sociopaths for as much
as the market will bare. How many of his brain dead fans
still believe he will live up to his promise of taking public
funds in the fall ?

[Erica]

Properly quoted, it's the love of money that is the root of all evil, not the money itself.

It is not Obama's responsibility to tailor his fundraising ability and buying power to match those of his opponent. When people frame this as buying an election, they are misrepresenting the purpose of campaign funds.

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

Hillary is not receiving as much in donations as Obama because she is not the popular candidate. There are ferwer people who would support her candidacy . All the more reason to drop out.

[BIG WIG]

Desperation will cause you to lie, steal and rob.

Just throw in the towel woman and let the DEM Nominee do his job. W e are so sick and tired of your tricks. We could see right through you.

Bill= king liar
Hillary=queen liar
Chelsea= little liarness

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

Hillary is not receiving as much in donations as Obama because she is not the popular candidate. There are ferwer people who would support her candidacy . All the more reason to drop out.

[Veejay]

YEAH!! Well said KWinn.

[Gerrrg]

It's pretty simple:

Pick who you want to win and vote. Then shut up (if you can't say positive things about your candidate).

Your sour criticism hurts the confidence of others with differing opinions, in your ability to stand on the same platform.

'Nuff said.

[Roxanne]

C'mon everyone...donate to Hillary so she can pay back the loan to herself!

OBAMA/WEBB '08

[Jim]

Thanks, Hillary. I just made another donation to the Obama campaign.

It's time to move beyond the Bushes and the Clintons, who have occupied the White House for far too long. Barack Obama has the vision, character, and ability to unite our country and bring the positive change we seek.

OBAMA '08 ... Yes We Can!

[oregon4obama]

she entered this month with over 8mil in debt, not including her loan to herself.....she will spend a ton in penn and have very little to spend in the next contests, she is on a crazy spending spree...

but here's a thought, her support is dwindling...she cant get a superdelegate to save her life, her donations have gone down significantly, in polls she's trailing in trust, her team is mud slinging every chance i.e. "wright would not have been my pastor", she will never get the delegate lead unless she wins all available contests by over 65%, Mich is not revoting and we dont know about FL.,

obama has, fans that have more websites, donation websites, fan power, media, print support, star support, endorsements, Union support....etc.....

How many signs does it take a person to step down gracefully......and support the OBVIOUS democratic choice for prez

[hinnis]

It is truly amazing that Hillary can do as well as she has, being outspent 4 to 1. It proves that no matter how hard he tries, Obama is having a hard time buying this election.

[Mike in PA]

It's brilliant. It's not only to get his name out but force Clinton to spend money, money she can't afford to spend. She needs this money for Indiana, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Draining her now will help him later as well.

[Fred Jones]

Why is Hillary still here?

[hinnis]

It is amazing to me that Hillary has done as well as she has, considering Obama is outspending her 4 to 1 in Pennsylvania. It just goes to show that Obama is having a hard time buying this election.

[Stephen Gianelli]

You need to update your polling information.

In Pennsylvania today, April 8, 2008, , two weeks to the vote, Hillary Clinton defeats Barack Obama 56% to 38%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCAU-TV Philadelphia, KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, WHP-TV Harrisburg, and WNEP-TV Wilkes-Barre.

The results are almost identical to a SurveyUSA poll released one month ago.

Then, Clinton led by 19. Today, 18. In between, however, in a SurveyUSA tracking poll released last week, Obama had closed to within 12 points.

As Mitt Romeny recently learned, throwing money at the electorate will not buy the nomination.

[hinnis]

Why is Hillary still here?

[CC]

Billary, forever crying "POOR"

[hinnis]

Dear Moderators:
Do you censor all comments which support Hillary, or just most of them?

[DiRtY DiSh]

Amen, on the hypocrisy. Clinton had tons of money and she blew it through bad management (Do you want someone that irresponsible in charge of economic policy?)--thinking that the race for the democratic ticket would be over by now. You want to talk unfair? What about the double-teaming that Billary uses against Barack. Can Obama send Michelle to Puerto Rico to campaign on his behalf, while Barack campaigns in more important areas? No! He has to fight in every state (like Mississippi). He has to work twice as hard as Hillary to cover the same ground. And that's not even to mention Chelsea. I don't see Obama "pimping" out his girls to campaign for him. ;)

[Why So Negative?]

I am amazed at how negative some people are with their comments against Hillary. Please stop this, you guys and gals disgust me.

[Chris K]

If any one of us had lied on our resume, employment application, or job interview we would have been immediately disqualified for the job by the employer. Hillary's continuing lies and distortions have clearly shown that she is not presidential material and is unworthy of the job.

[Dennis]

She is hardly at a disadvantage. She has had a former President of the US, leader of her party, campaigning since -- welll, when do you want to say she started angling for the white house--4 years ago--5, maybe 8, maybe longer? These Obama dollars are little people dollars, a couple million little people have found their voice and putting in an all out effort to put a silver bullet in Hillary--seems a wooden stake wouldn't do it. Stop crying poor mouth rich lady, just dry up and go away.

[Julio]

What liar Hillary is not saying is that she opened up her wallet and dropped 5 million dollars into her own campaign. She has just fied papers showing that she's worth over 109 million dollars. Obama by contrast is only worth just barely over 1 million, due to 2 best selling books he wrote. The money that he's spending are donated by people like myself who have for the first time offered my modest financial support to a presidential candidate. The question is: what was he supposed to do with that money other than spend it the way the donors had intended him to do??? She is a liar and a hyppocrite. I'll be happy the day I never hear from her again.

[Cass]

Of course she's motivating people to contribute Obama's rolling out his million dollars in one minute blitz.

Plus he refers to his campaign as "grass roots" when only 40% comes from individuals with the rest from Special Interests and their bundlers. Your in the media, who pays your salary's. You can't tell me that money spent in the media does not effect their supposedly unbiased stories, because we all know it does. The more you spend the better your "News" coverage.

So I hope Hillary motivates a lot of people to contribute I contributed, and I'm glad to help. I just read that Obama -- the anti-war candidate, campaigned for Lieberman in 2005 against the anti-war candidate Lammont (who won).

I'm for peace and Hillary has more commitment than Obama to work for peace, he just talks a good game because he knows he can't be held accountable later for making campaign claims he does not keep.

I listen to Hillary and look at her record and she's consistent, I listen to Obama and what he says is usally the opposite of what he does in reality... He's stumping for votes... and good at it, but his primary contributers are Wall Street and banks, and that says more and more war and ever higher gas prices.

Ever been conned by a really good con man or seen a religious revival... enter Obama... He wants us to think he's the secind coming of Jesus.

Well I'm not buying what he's selling even if he insists it's: New, Different, Better, Best... sound like every product -- good and bad -- that's every been sold.

I'd like to see what kind of change he can make happen in the Senate before I have any faith in someone who is clearly double-talking and votes like a Repuiblicrat, accept real Republicans will vote for McCain, and if Democrats choose Obama McCain will blow holes through all his stories, and we'll be looking at Democrat loss #3. No Thanks. GO HILLARY!!! Hillary can face McCain and win and I think she will restore the USA to peace and prosperity and Obama is just a Bush clone... better looking, with a different platform, but cut from the same cloth and working to the same ends... the rest is campaign Rhetoric. No Thanks. Like Bush Obama doesn't even want an honest election where everyone get's a vote. No Thanks. Yes I want Change. Yes I want Different. Obama is a Bush Clone so where's the differentiation there? That he claims to be different? Show me some proof? Look at his contributer list and how he votes and you will see I'm right on this.

Obama is conning US all, that's why he chooses the people easiest to con young people and Black people who think he will help them be proud. Obama will help no one. Hillary has done more for civil rights thna Obama's ten months in Chicago and will continue to work for change. Obama is about Obama. He'd probably want to take US Global from day one and go on the campaign trail to become President of the world. The guy's a fraud. DO YOUR HOMEWORK and YOU WILL SEE.

[Steve in Chicago]

Dear Hillary,

Citizens are voting with their contributions. But if you need more money, why don't you dip into your own $109,000,000??

[Ron]

The sad thing is that she has a multi million dollar name in recognition alone. She has a husband former popular president campaigning for her , with all the media following him. She has a slightly less than energetic daughter complete with media following her. She gets all kinds of free media coverage. She is on TV 3 times as much as Obama because CNN the Clinton News Network is obsessed with her. The only reason that she is begging for more money is because she didn't put Obama away after Super Tueday.
He was supposed to be long gone by now. I think that Hillary didn't do much reading when she was younger otherwise she would know the story of the tortoise and the hare.

[Ron]

The sad thing is that she has a multi million dollar name in recognition alone. She has a husband former popular president campaigning for her , with all the media following him. She has a slightly less than energetic daughter complete with media following her. She gets all kinds of free media coverage. She is on TV 3 times as much as Obama because CNN the Clinton News Network is obsessed with her. The only reason that she is begging for more money is because she didn't put Obama away after Super Tueday.
He was supposed to be long gone by now. I think that Hillary didn't do much reading when she was younger otherwise she would know the story of the tortoise and the hare.

[great]

You unrealistic, Kool-Aid drinking Obama supporters are the ones who need to be quiet and go away, crawl back into YOUR deep, nasty holes as Suzyku so suggests above towards Hillary. It's you Obama supporters that are ruining the Democratic party.

Last time I checked, hope is NOT a solution! At not least in successful, realistic, American business.

Get real. Hillary is the first overly qualified person to run for the White House ever, and you Obama jerks and much of the press of ruining it for the rest of us who want to make good for the country.

The Republicans will have a field day mopping the floor with Obama if, God forbid, he got the nomination. Which he won't!

[Henry T. Wilfong Jr., MBA, CPA]

RACE IS A FACTOR and skunks don't leave on their own:

Of course, we knew it all the time. Race is a factor, in this election, just as it is in America, in general. And, it will continue to haunt us (we Americans), until we circle it, surround it and cut its head off.

We applaud Barack Obama's valiant attempt to keep it out of the campaign. We applaud him, even more, for his realizing that it is time for us (we Americans) to fess up. It's time to recognize that those who "whisper about" it are right on track.

Now, what are we gonna do about it? Now, that the skunk has been thrown into the room, what are we gonna do? Will we leave the skunk in the room, and imagine it gone? It will not leave of its own volition, you can be sure of that. We could all leave the room, and leave it to the skunk. Or some of us can stay in the room with the skunk and tough it out. But, for some of us, who've dealt with the skunk all our lives we know what to do. We're gonna all get rid of the skunk together, or ya'll will have to deal with the skunk, by yourselves.

The skunk is what causes all this "code language" that The Clintons have been using and that the Media is now picking up on. "He can't win." That's code for White folk won't vote for the "N-word" in November. Having "two patriotic people in the race", means "This thing ought to be between two WHITE Americans."

We ain't complaining, not yet, we're just 'splaining. See we've been facing this kind of stuff for all our life. We're used to having to work twice as hard to get half as much. We're used to having to watch our back, less our "friends" stab us in that back. We're used to not being a part of the Republican Party mainstream. We expect that from them. We just don't expect it from our friends-you know the ones who "Praise Martin", but won't fully participate in the practice of accepting people based upon their character, rather than the color of their skin.

This latest development has caught us totally unawares. We'd been lulled into a relative state of tranquility. We have this magnificent candidate, who's highly qualified, articulate, good-looking, well-married, and blessed with All-American type kids, who's won state after state in the primaries; won the greater number of delegates; raised pots full of money. So, why hasn't the second place candidate dropped out. Why hasn't she been escorted to the sidelines?

Well, she's White-stupid.... And, "He can't win."

One of the newspapers said "Exit polls of voters in Democratic primaries also show that whites who considered the contender's race _ Clinton is white, Obama is black _ were three times likelier to say they would only be satisfied with Clinton as the nominee than if Obama were chosen."
"The figures shed some light on race's effect on a competition that moves to the April 22 primary in Pennsylvania, which has a slightly greater proportion of whites than average. The numbers also underscore the challenge Obama could face in the general election, when whites will comprise a larger share of voters and tend to be more conservative than those participating in the Democratic primaries."

There you have it in a nutshell. We've been told, in a "coded" fashion, by The Clintons. And, the news media has substantiated it in their polls. So, what's left, for Black folk- It's really very simple. Now, that we've been told that "Barack Obama is too Black to win in November. Therefore we're gonna have to keep the White candidate in the race, to ultimately replace him. We've gotta win in November."

As we leave the room, to the skunks an skunk-lovers, we'll leave them to figure out how to beat the Republicans, WITHOUT the Black vote. Hey, surely you don't expect us to support your ticket, after you've chosen a skunk over us.......

[Shawn]

It was ok last year for Hillary to crow how much more money she had than her opponents, courtesy of all the fat cats of the party. Now she complains about Obama raising 40 million through small donations by a successful grassroots movement. Her campaign is nasty, I'm sick and tired of this!

[Gerrrg]

Keep bashing each other and you'll ensure that the animosity will remain rooted throughout the rest of the election season.

[KMB08]

It is certainly obvious that BO's supporters are young, naive, and new to the political process.

If you aren't going to vote for anyone who, as you say, lies, cheats, exaggerates,...then I guess you aren't going to be voting.

Hillary's supporters do see through her...and we see someone who is complicated, intelligent, has an extensive grasp of policy, works her heart out, and has the passion to see a commitment to fruition with the needed tools at her disposal, and she's tough enough to take on the Republicans.

The media is so powerful. By concentrating on Hillary's negatives, they are successful in planting this seed in the mind's of people who need to be told what to think....the media counts on these people who do not do their research. Obama has a lot of dirt...just because the media doesn't want that seed planted in the little minds, doesn't mean it isn't there if you care to inform yourselves.

I'm curious...are you Obama supporters aware that he takes money from "friends" of lobbyists, has lobbyists working on his campaign, takes money from "employees" of lobbying firms, has taken more money from drug co.'s than HRC, has paid the superdelegates more money than HRC, takes money from employees of the oil & gas ind., takes money from unions although earlier he stated unions have too much sway and considered them special interest groups, has misled with regard to much of his Il. Senatorial work, earned the rep. in the IL. Sen. as "gutless" and "absent" when time to make the tough votes...Did you know he almost came to blows with a colleague in the IL. Sen. when Obama "accidentally" hit the wrong button and voted for budget cuts that eliminated a child welfare office in the colleague's district...and there's so much more. Do you all ever check factcheck.org by any chance, or read as many sources as you can so you can get a true picture of the hip dude you're following so "lemming-like"...

As for the Clinton's, they're not perfect, but considering the microscopic scrutiny they've been under for years ad nauseum, they look closer to perfect all the time. For your information, the Clinton's have disclosed more private papers than any couple in history...HISTORY!!. Bill Clinton had very little money when he became President. Sure, he's made a ton of money giving speeches...that's fine. They've made money writing books...again...good for them. Are you all aware of all the good works that the Clinton foundation does?!?! They help with aids relief in Africa in a very big way...Katrina relief, Tsunami relief, a ton of money goes to many worthwhile charities. Are you all also aware the Clinton's gave a much larger percentage in charity than the Obama's gave. The Clinton's also paid a sizeable chunk in taxes, more than most in their tax bracket. This is legal people!!! Don't you think if Obama gets to the Presidency, when he leaves office, he'll make this much or more on speeches as well. Is this fine with you all?!?! The Clinton's have done more good than bad, and they are good people. I really wish you all would do more research.

Factcheck.org backs up Hillary on her SCHIP claim, D. Gergen backs her up on her Nafta ambivalence, military personnel back her up on almost all her foreign policy experience, the Republicans back her up on being a unifier who works across party lines..BO claims to work across party lines, but C. Roberts says he certainly wasn't interested in doing this so far to any extent.

Were you all aware that Hillary has always favored more funding for breast cancer research, and recently unveiled a dramatic plan to find a cure for breast cancer. Have you seen her "insourcing" agenda...which sounds very economically progressive? Did you know that Hillary was working on human rights issues long before she and Bill ever met?

There's just so much more, but I think I'm too tired to elaborate futher...Voters who vote based on tv tidbits are frustrating to say the least.

HRC'08

[LA Guy]

Saying Hillary is experienced because she was First Lady is like saying Robin Givens is a good boxer because she was married to Mike Tyson. Silly.

[RB]

BO is great at leading peprallys for sophmores. Does this mean he'll be a good President? HC is simply smarter. And why not a woman as President? A vote for Barack is a vote for McCain.

[Fred Jones]

WHY IS OBAMA UNELECTABLE?
Lots of reasons, among them, inexperience; most liberal senator in Congress; dishonesty issues; Rezko; Rev. Wright. Remember when Kerry ran against Bush; the Swiftboat incident? What the Republican slime machine does is attack what they consider to be the Democrat's greatest strength. For Kerry, one of those was the extent to which his military service eclipsed George Bush's "alleged" military service. So, they Swiftboat him, and it worked. In Kerry's case, I don't believe that the Swiftboat veterans were truthful, but it raised enough questions to affect the election. In Obama's case, the Republicans don't even have to lie or make things up; they have Rev. Wright. Obama claims that one of his greatest strengths is that he is a "uniter," and yet he has attending a black liberation theology church for 20 years, and considers its racist and anti-American pastor to be his "mentor and spiritual adviser." Right now, Hillary cannot discuss this issue without fear of the race card; however, in the general election, the 527's are going to have a field day with it.

[San Ying]

Hillary does not seem to understand or know that there comes a time when a pendulum must stop to go the other direction. Her pendulum has been going one direction for 35 or more years. The time has now come for it to: ABOUT TURN!

[Ron M]

This campaign will be far more brutal than the general election because in that election there will be clear policy differences between the candidates. In this contest it is more about personality and character issues not policy so obfuscation may have an effect.

Right now in the the Iowa market Obama is a 6.7:1 choice to win compared to a 3:1 choice last month. The longer this goes on without a Clinton blowout victory the less the chance for a Clinton victory. As Obama's odds rise there will come a point that men like Rendell of PA will throw in the towel and support Obama. He is too much of a pragmatist to risk the party.

The important thing for Obama supporters to keep in mind is that staying positive increases the turnout and since Obama is the more popular candidate raising the turnout improves his performance. Obama has a message that empowers the voters. His performance today in the hearings was masterful, while Clinton was professional everything was scripted and unimaginative. As long as she avoids the nastiness which has been the case for the past week the party will not suffer any more than it has.

No one has won this election and we Obama supporters are not entitled to a victory until after the election process is complete.

Hopefully there are enough superdelegates that are more loyal to the party than to the Clintons. If not the Clinton loyalists must be avenged at the polls in the future. We must prevail, for the good of the country. This country is sliding and Clinton lacks the foresight to stop it. Above average won't due this cycle we need the potential for greatness. Obama I hope has it because Clinton and McCain do not.

[Don Fitzgerald, Chicago]

I think Senator Clinton should focus on Senator McBush instead of attacking, her fellow Democrat, Senator Obama!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.

[Linda, Fl]

No Penny for Phony Clintons.

[Linda, Fl]

Do not forget: clinton's donation to charity was; 6 something mln to Clintons Own Foundation ( Donate Yourself from the right pocket to the left and get tax deduction!), another part was donated ONCE the day, when she declared to run for the president. Once time Show case.

Phony, ugly, illiteral, could not manage, alwais lies, always angry.
Clintons - Disgrace of america.
Get them LOST

[Kristin]

This campaign is more brutal than the general election will be because in that election there will be clear policy differences between the candidates. This contest is more about personality and character issues, not policy, so ad hominem attacts, especially by surrogates, are more likey to be made. Even ad hominem attacks against Obama will be much easier for him to counter as it will be in response to Republicans, not to an older, white woman in one’s own party.

[alice]

Mrs. Hillary Clinton haters, you people need to go and get some help. You are truly disturbed people. whoever you are full of hate, don't even know Mrs. Clinton in person and I am sure you couldn't remember one thing of the many she has done. Being the senator of New York is not easy, New York is one of the most successfull state of this country. She has been winning the states with the most electoral votes, in November she will be the winner. All this money she had received does come from true democrats and people who cares about this country I am sure is not coming from insurance companies, corrupted doctors, oil companies, and people who has been draining money from hard working people totally unchecked.

[Dan]

The Clintons are worth over $100 million dollars.

If money is the only reason Hillary is losing, why doesn't she use $25 million of their own money. This would give her more money than Obama.

She would be able to outspend Obama.

Survey USA has Hillary up by 18 points in their Pennsylvania poll. Spending another $10 million in Pennsylvania should get her a 25 point win there.